We hope you enjoy the Irish Insider. For consideration in future editions, please email info@stcathschool.com by 12pm Monday for the Wednesday edition.

Thoughts with Mr. Watts

Hello St. Catharine Families:

I hope you all had a Merry Christmas and Happy New Year. We are so blessed to be back in school and appreciate seeing students back in the building.

Although it is a new year, we still have the same challenges ahead of us. We are committed to continue all of our safety protocols and provide the best opportunity for students to continue to grow spiritually, socially, and academically.

Thank you to all of our teachers, staff, students, and parents for your continued effort to keep everyone safe during this unprecedented time.

Know that you are in my prayers and God Bless each and every one of you.

If anyone in your household would have a Positive COVID-19 test result, you must notify Mr. Watts by calling (614) 949-7713 as soon as possible, 24 hours per day, 7 days per week.

We are required to post positive cases of students and staff on our website weekly. This data, along with other COVID-19 updates can be found at http://stcatharineschool.com/parents/covid-19/. Currently, we have 0 active cases and 4 cumulative cases with students and staff. (As of 1.4)

When to Keep Your Child Home (Updated 10.9)- This is a great reference for you to print and keep handy. You can also find a copy in Backpack Express

The CDC has recently updated their recommended quarantine calendar to 10 days after the date of exposure. These recommendations had be accepted by the State, County, and then Local Public Health Departments in order to be implemented.

Today, Columbus Public Health sent out their recommendations of reducing the total days for quarantine from 14 to 10 days from the date of exposure. Click this link for a generic letter explaining the procedures and sample calendar with four separate scenarios.

Due to the overwhelming number of cases for CPH, St. Catharine School will now determine the return date of the student using the CDC Guidelines.

Students will need to quarantine if…

Their family travels to a state with a 15% or more positive COVID-19 rate. Please refer to this website for an updated list of states that fit in this category and for more information.

If anyone in the household has tested positive for COVID-19.

If anyone in the household has knowingly been in close contact with someone who has tested positive for COVID-19 and they are showing symptoms of COVID-19.

If anyone in the household is waiting on the results of a COVID-19 Test

Catholic Schools Week will run from Sunday, January 31^st until Saturday, February 6^th. We are working with our CSW committee and our Home & School Association on a fun, safe, and meaningful week. You can help by including your child(ren)’s T-shirt size with this form.

Please fill out this quick survey to provide valuable feedback on our USDA Free School Lunch Program. 

Contact Raquel Hazel rhazel@cdeducation.org if you are interested

rhazel@cdeducation.org

614-725-1977 school cafeteria phone line

614-477-3000 cell  

*this government program could end sooner

Candidates must have current BCI and FBI background checks (less than one year old), which are sent electronically to the Diocese or on file at the Ohio Department of Education, attend a VIRTUS Protecting God’s Children training (they are available online), and complete the online substitute teaching application for the Diocese of Columbus.

Please contact me directly at mwatts1@columbuscatholic.org with questions or to express interest.

St. Catharine School is seeking a part-time cafeteria assistant to start immediately. Hours are flexible and up to 30 hours per week.

Candidates must have current BCI and FBI background checks (less than one year old), which are sent electronically to the Diocese or on file at the Ohio Department of Education and attend a VIRTUS Protecting God’s Children training (they are available online).

Please contact Mark Watts directly at mwatts1@cdeducation.org with questions or to express interest.

Physical Gift Card order will be placed this coming Friday, January 9

Place your order on the RaiseRight App or through the SCRIP website

E-gift cards and Reloads can be done at anytime through the website or app (RaiseRight).

Do you have questions about saving money on your 2021-22 tuition? Reach out to Alli Brinkmeyer at stcatharinetrip@yahoo.com or 614.214.5428 with all your SCRIP questions and to get started or check out our TRIP/SCRIP page on our website

Let’s show Plank’s the love that they have always shown us!! Please dine in, carry out or place a delivery order to say 

Mrs. Underwood is looking forward to seeing St. Catharine students and families!            

After much discussion, consultation and input from concerned Pastors, elementary school principals, coaches, parents and the DRA Board, the decision has been made the to continue the postponement of the start of the DRA basketball season through January 15. As stated previously, the hope and prayer is that, in delaying the start of the season, we will be able to keep our children safe from the spread of the coronavirus and to have a successful basketball season.

Although the most recent numbers seem to be leveling off, they are still high and it is possible that there will be a spike in numbers after the Christmas holidays. This postponement will give us a chance to see what happens and to respond appropriately. Due to the concerns expressed by families and the fact that the primary focus of our ministry is to keep the children in school and to keep the schools safe, we believe we are acting out of the best interest and safety of the children, their classmates, their teachers, coaches, and their families.

At this time the postponement of the DRA basketball season will continue until mid-January. No one is to be practicing or holding open gyms. This also includes the CYO programs.

Please share this information with your basketball commissioners, the coaches and parents. Remember, this is a postponement, not a cancellation. The hope of the DRA is to have a season in late January and February, as long as we can do it so the safely for all involved in the DRA. We will continue to monitor the situation and make changes as needed. Please stay safe, wear those masks, and socially distance.

God Bless You,

Marty Raines—Director Office of Recreation

Adam Dufault—Episcopal Moderator for Education; Superintendent of Catholic Schools

Julius Palazzo—Boys’ Commissioner

David Oddi—Assistant Boys’ Commissioner

Mike Matthews—Assistant Girls’ Commissioner

The DRA Board of Directors

Ray and Mandy DeWeese have given much time and talent to help lead our girls lacrosse program at St. Catharine. They have decided that it is time to pass on the torch. If you have an interest in being the commissioner of our girls lacrosse program , please contact Mandy at deweesefam6@gmail.com. Ray and Mandy would be an integral part of the transition this spring.

The Lindy Infante Scholarship Foundation helps families who need assistance paying for Diocesan athletic fees. Please fill out the application and send to:

Marty Raines

Diocesan Recreation Association

197 E. Gay St.

Columbus, Ohio 43215

Commissioners needed

Please contact PJ Keiffer with any questions at 614-668-0134 or email, pkeiffer@gmail.com